Moodabidri, a famous place situated 35 km north-east of
Mangalore, a place of cultural and historical importance. The name Moodabidri stands for eastern bamboo area. It is situated at a beautiful spot in the midst of hills covered with lush green bamboo trees.
Moodabidri is also known as the Jaina Kashi of South India. In olden times many saints and poets made this place their home. Today Jains from all over India gather here to worship the 18 Jaina Basadis that are dedicated to the memory of the
Teerthankars. Eighteen Jain temples and a Math of Sri Charukeerthi Swamiji are seen here.
Moodabidri is the birth place of famous
Kannada poet Rathnakar Varni. It is also well known for large granite monoliths called Konaje Kallu. These twin peaks of Konaje were popularly called Ass's ears by the old time British
sailors who could see them from the
Arabian Sea en route from Bombay to Mangalore. Tombs of Jain priests, pre-historic stone age structures, Kanthavara temple and Gowri temple are other attractions.
Government bungalows and dharmashalas provide accomodation to the pilgrims and tourists at Moodabidri. Mangalore airport is the nearest airport.
